Requirements for the Minor in Astronomy & Astrophysics
The minor in astronomy and astrophysics consists of at least 12 credit hours of course work beyond the introductory calculus-based Physics courses (Physics 1250 and 1251, or equivalents) and the introductory calculus courses (Math 1151 and 1152, or equivalents).
Courses at the 1000-level may not be counted towards completion of the minor program.
If you complete the minor following the guidelines on this page, you should file a Minor Program Form with your college advisor.
If you wish to pursue any variation to the requirements, please consult with the Astronomy Undergraduate Academic Advisor.
Required Prerequisites1
Semester Course Credit Hours Math 1151 Calculus I2 5 Math 1152 Calculus II2 5 Physics 1250/1250H/1260/1270 Mechanics, Thermal Physics, and Waves 5 Physics 1251/1251H/1261/1271 E&M, Optics, and Modern Physics 5
Minor Program
The following 9 hours of courses are required.
Required Semester Courses Credit Hours Astron 2291 Basic Astrophysics and Planetary Astronomy 3 Astron 2292 Stellar, Galactic, and Extragalactic Astronomy & Astrophysics 3 Astron 3350 Methods of Astronomical Observation and Data Analysis 3
To complete the 12 credit hours required for the minor, pick one course from the following list of minor electives:
Minor Electives - complete at least one of the following: Credit Hours Astron 5681 Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis3 3 Astron 5682 Introduction to Cosmology3 3 Physics 2300 Intermediate Mechanics 13 4 Physics 3470 Optics3 3
Notes:
- The listed prerequisites are required regardless of the final course chosen for the minor.
- Depending on which final course is chosen, additional prerequisites may be required.
- Physics 2300 requires that students complete Math 2153 or equivalent, and Astron 5681 and 5682 require that students complete Math 2415 or equivalent.
- Depending on which final course is chosen, additional prerequisites may be required.
- An acceptable substitute math sequence is Math 1151-1172.
- Students with appropriate placement may also substitute Math 1181H or 4181H instead.
- Students with appropriate placement may also substitute Math 1181H or 4181H instead.
- Only one Minor Elective (from Astron 5681, Astron 5682, Physics 2300, and Physics 3470) will be required.
- No overlap is allowed between a student's major and the Astronomy & Astrophysics minor.
- No overlap is allowed between a student's major and the Astronomy & Astrophysics minor.
Other considerations
A student majoring in Physics, Engineering Physics, Mathematics-Applied (Physics) track, Earth Sciences-Geophysics subprogram, or Science and Mathematics Education-Integrated Science licensure option where Physics 2300 is required in the major program, cannot use this physics course in the Astronomy & Astrophysics minor program due to overlap rules.
A student majoring in Science and Mathematics Education-Physics licensure option, where both Astron 2291 and Physics 2300 are required, should discuss with the Astronomy advisor to discuss appropriate substitutes if they wish to complete the Astronomy & Astrophysics minor.
For students whose major program does not include Physics 2300 and Math 2153 (or equivalent), the likely Astronomy & Astrophysics minor would be Astronomy 2291, 2292, 3350, and Physics 3470.
Astronomy & Astrophysics minors are particularly encouraged to take Astronomy 2895 (Topics in Astrophysics).
This one-credit course largely consists of lectures on contemporary research topics by various members of the Astronomy Department faculty and is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.